Sometimes known as The Shoebox Appeal, Operation Christmas Child is aimed at helping disadvantaged and poor children in a number of underdeveloped regions around the world.
The idea is that a shoebox is filled with a well-balanced variety of items, which are then sent to either a boy or a girl covering four different age categories, 2-4 years, 5-9 years, and 10-14 years.
Samaritan’s Purse has helpfully recommended a number of items to include in each shoebox.
The contents should ideally consist of school supplies such as pens, pencils, crayons, notepads and picture books, hygiene items like a facecloth, toothbrush, comb and soap, and toys such as stuffed animals, small musical instruments, as well as hair clips, toy jewellery, t-shirts, and socks. Those donating are also encouraged to include a personal note and/or a photograph so the recipient child can see who pack their box.
Shaun Huskisson, Planning & Logistics Assistant at Spectra who had the idea of getting staff involved in this particular charity said,
“At a time of year when so many children are lucky enough to enjoy the giving and the receiving of gifts, it seems totally appropriate to remember those less fortunate. The great thing is, Spectra staff never need asking twice when any kind of charitable appeal is proposed and this one doesn’t appear to be any different”.
Samaritan’s Purse is an international relief and development organisation that works through local churches to help communities in need (in countries across Sub-Saharan Africa, Eastern Europe and Central Asia) across the world.
The charity is a non-profit, Christian organisation providing church support and emergency relief and development assistance to suffering people around the world. Established since 1970, Samaritan’s Purse has offices in a number of countries and runs campaigns in countries such as Iraq and Nepal as well as natural disaster projects such as hurricanes and flooding.
Joe Maynard, Managing Director at Spectra said,
“Our staff regularly take it upon themselves to get involved in a range of charitable causes, often coming up with various suggestions to help raise donations. This charity is particularly poignant at this time of year and shows the generosity of our team here at Spectra”.
For more information on Operation Christmas Child visit: https://www.samaritans-purse.org.uk/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/
